DeConick, April D.2022-10-052022-052022-04-20May 2022Stieber, Angela Elaine. "Who is the Woman in the Garden? Reception of Eve in Genesis 2–4." (2022) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/113502">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/113502</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/113502Reception Theory performs a critical role in understanding the nature of interpretation, production of knowledge, and social memory. This thesis employs Reception History hermeneutics in order to peer outside of the confines of a presumed authorial “truth” about the nature of Eve in Genesis 2–4. Moreover, I aim to demonstrate that Eve is received and interpreted by readers based on their preconstructed knowledge, cognitive frames, and social and historical memory. This thesis begins with an exploration of the intersection between Reception Theory and Biblical Studies. Additionally, it includes four case studies, two ancient and two modern, in order to demonstrate the importance of reception and knowledge production in development of ideas about Eve’s nature. I employ cognitive-social critique rooted in Reception Theory in order to assert that Eve is not received consistently, and, therefore, no exegesis can produce an authorial “truth” about the nature of Eve. Moreover, I aim to convey some of the ways in which receptions of Eve in Genesis 2–4 provide an understanding of the social constructions of gender in their respective times, places, and spaces.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.EveGenesis 2–4Reception HistoryReception History HermeneuticsFeminist Biblical StudiesBiblical StudiesGnosticismWomen's StudiesTertullianSethian GnosticismGerhard von RadPhyllis TribleArtifact MigrationApril D. DeConickThesis2022-10-05